New Zealand's leading experts on migration feature alongside one of this country's most acclaimed new bands, Family Cactus, at the second in the LATE at the Museum's WHEREYAFROM? series on Thursday, 1 October.

Auckland Museum's LATE 02: Culture Compass investigates how 1000 years of migration has shaped our unique cultural identity. The evening's panel discussion, moderated by Findlay Macdonald, explores migration's part in fashioning our language, belief systems and cultural nuances. Panellists include Canterbury University History Professor Philippa Mein Smith, author of A Concise History of New Zealand; Elizabeth Gordon, linguist expert and author of New Zealand English: Its Origins and Evolution; and Amster Reedy, leading Maoritanga consultant and long standing cultural advisor to the New Zealand Olympic squad.

The evening's music welcomes performances by Family Cactus and Batucada Sound Machine. The Wellington-based seven-piece Family Cactus make the journey north to perform tracks from their critically acclaimed album Come Howling. Family Cactus features members of notable New Zealand bands, including The Accelerants, The Brunettes, The Nudie Suits, Grand Prix, The Cosbys and The Bonnie Scarlets among others. Their recent nation-wide tour won them a legion of fans and their debut album has garnered enthusiastic reviews for its lush pop melodies.

Loosely translated, 'batucada' means percussive samba jam, which aptly summarises Batucada Sound Machine's musical roots. The band began in 2003 when five passionate drummers met once a month in the dimly lit lounge bar of Galatos nightclub in Auckland to experiment fusing batucada with local beats and influences. Before long, a talented group of diverse musicians had joined in and the band has grown to 13 energetic and eclectic members.

Throughout LATE 02 you can experience Sonic Museum by donning a special set of headphones and embarking on a musical exploration of the museum's collections, which have been reinterpreted by top Kiwi performers. The museum's new exhibition Wonderland: The Mystery of the Orchid will also be open.